Foster carers can now save up to £1,345.48 a year

As well as weekly allowance of up to £446 foster carers approved with Westminster can now have the council cover their council tax costs whilst they have a child in their care.

The new allowance applies to existing foster carers as well as any new carers recruited in the future. It is just one of the many allowances available to foster carers to enable them to have the financial support to care for the child or young person placed with them.

Foster carers play a vital role in our communities providing loving and supportive homes for our children and young people. This additional allowance aims to help ease financial pressure, show our appreciation for the work they do, and encourage more people to consider taking the first step to becoming a foster carer.

Most people are eligible to foster and we are looking for motivated, enthusiastic and caring individuals or couples to join our team in helping us to ensure that together we can make a positive contribution to children in care. If you would like to talk to us about fostering or have any questions please contact us on 0800 169 3497 or come to one of our regular information events.

The allowance will meet the cost of council tax for foster carers, who have been approved with Westminster City Council and live in the city, whilst they have a child in their care. The allowance does not apply to foster carers in special guardianship, kinship care, connected persons and private fostering arrangement.

How to claim

To claim the allowance you will need to pay your monthly council tax bill and then submit the bill to the council’s fostering team. You will then be reimbursed for the costs. Permanent foster carers will receive an allowance upfront for their council tax.

The allowance came into force on 1 April 2015 so eligible foster carers can claim a backdated reimbursement from this date.

For any enquires or to make a claim please call 0800 169 3497 (9.30am to 5pm) or email fostering@rbkc.gov.uk.

Westminster City Council shares its fostering service with the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Last updated: 5 August 2016

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